10 things you need to know today: July 2, 2014
I’m not happy with the news about Google acquiring another online anything. They have no appreciation for online consumers. Since they took over Youtube, it is going down the tube.
So close. (AP Images/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
The Week
1. Belgium knocks the U.S. out of the World Cup
Belgium beat the U.S. 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday, knocking the American men’s soccer team out of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. team went down fighting, with attempts off Clint Dempsey’s foot and Jermaine Jones’ head missing in the last minutes of extra time. U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann tried unsuccessfully to get officials to add another minute of stoppage time to extend the match as it wound down. “It’s heartbreaking,” U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said. “We gave everything.” [Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker]
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2. Kentucky’s gay marriage ban ruled unconstitutional
A federal judge struck down Kentucky’s gay marriage ban on Tuesday, saying it violated the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution. The ruling was put on hold while an appeals court hears challenges to…
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Posted on 07/02/2014, in open discussion, Potpourri, Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 88 Comments.
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 
4. Obama calls on Congress to fund highway projects
President Obama berated Congress on Tuesday for failing to replenish the federal Highway Trust Fund, which is used to pay for state and federal road projects. With gas tax revenues declining, the fund is expected to run out in 58 days, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. That would put 877,000 jobs at risk, the group says. House Republicans have ideas — such as tougher online tax laws — for refilling the fund. Obama said the nation “can’t wait for a Republican Congress to do stuff.” [Time]
True this!!
And those poor children just trying to find refuge in America. We either have to help them or just go ahead and admit we are NOT a Christian nation.
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mindyme,
A Christian nation? The Puritans came for religious freedom. Thereafter, capitalism replaced Christianity.
IMHO, America is a “theist” country where each power of government, local and national, has formed its own god according to its own image.
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I know this oh so well. It’s the pretense of following the teachings of Christ that is wrecking this country.
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Mindyme,
Yep. If they really knew the spirit of Christ within themselves and others, then religion would not matter.
When we as a nation feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless, take care of orphans, and stop returning evil for evil, then maybe prayers will heal our land.
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“When we as a nation feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless, take care of orphans, and stop returning evil for evil, then maybe prayers will heal our land.”
May it be so!
Amen.
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Thurgood Marshall was born on this day in 1908. From Wikipedia:
Thurgood Marshall (July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993) was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from October 1967 until October 1991. Marshall was the Court’s 96th justice and its first African American justice.
Before becoming a judge, Marshall was a lawyer who was best known for his high success rate in arguing before the Supreme Court and for the victory in Brown v. Board of Education, a decision that desegregated public schools. He served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit after being appointed by President John F. Kennedy and then served as the Solicitor General after being appointed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. President Johnson nominated him to the United States Supreme Court in 1967.
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The Associated Press @AP · 5h
VIDEO: An experimental device, not yet approved for use in the U.S, helps save man awaiting lung transplant:
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SC Restaurant Owner Refuses To Serve Blacks, Cites Religious Beliefs http://www.forwardprogressives.com/sc-restaurant-owner-refuses-serve-blacks-cites-religious-beliefs/ …
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Yep, that is the effect of SCOTUS latest ruling:
(hat tip to rikyrah)
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“Post-Hobby Lobby, Religious Orgs Want Exemption From LGBT Hiring Order”
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/religious-groups-lgbt-hiring-hobby-lobby
Excerpt:
The day after the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling, a group of religious leaders sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking that he exempt them from a forthcoming executive order that would prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT people.
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Hat tip to rikyrah
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“Michelle Howard becomes Navy’s first female four-star admiral
http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/politics/first-woman-four-star-admiral/
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Published on Jul 1, 2014 by Forbes
The first female 4-star admiral in naval history discusses the importance of defining the mission and the inherent isolation of being in charge. From the 2nd annual Forbes’ Women’s Summit.
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“Washington, DC Independence Day Parade 2014
http://dc.about.com/od/4thofjuly/a/IndDayParade.htm
“10 Ways to Celebrate Independence Day in Washington, DC”
http://washington.org/article/10-ways-celebrate-independence-day-washington-dc
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“July 4th in Los Angeles 2014
Independence Day Festivities for the 4th of July around LA and Orange Country”
http://golosangeles.about.com/od/losangelescalendar/a/July4th.htm
“FOURTH OF JULY SAN FRANCISCO
Top Activities & Events for 4th of July 2014”
http://www.sftourismtips.com/fourth-of-july-san-francisco.html
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“Even the Editor of Facebook’s Mood Study Thought It Was Creepy”
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/06/even-the-editor-of-facebooks-mood-study-thought-it-was-creepy/373649/
“Q&A: Facebook Uproar Exposes Concerns Over Corporate Experiments”
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/07/140701-facebook-emotion-experiment-science-technology/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20140701news-fbexper&utm_campaign=Content&sf3520875=1
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Another active shooting, mass shooting took place. This time in New Orleans. It happened on the world famous Bourbon st. 10 people shot. Brittany Andrews 21 yr old black female died of her injuries. Two white males Justin Odom and another named Josh or Joe are suspected shooters. 4 active shootings in one month. 5 if you count Justin borque in Canada. Yet Jake Tapper and Greg gutfeld will tell you there’s no rise in active/mass shootings.
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“Police release video of lieutenant shoving man in wheelchair”
10:26 a.m. EDT July 2, 2014
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/07/02/video-officer-shoves-man-in-wheelchair/12014303/
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I saw this one on CNN, the LT was demoted to patrolman and given 30 days leave without pay. Department said he had plenty of time to move out of the way of the wheelchair before it ran over his foot.
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“Police misconduct investigated after video surfaces”
http://www.krcrtv.com/news/local/police-misconduct-investigated-after-video-surfaces/26736746
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The citizen refused to file a complaint ,he was apologetic when he did not do anything wrong.,,,,,next , bad police officers will continue abusing citizens.
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“2 journalists sue Oakland police over tickets”
Posted on Monday, June 30 at 6:22pm | By Henry K. Lee
http://blog.sfgate.com/crime/2014/06/30/2-journalists-sue-oakland-police-over-tickets/
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You’ve received an award from Idealistic Rebel. To see the award, click this link:
http://idealisticrebel.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/community-heart-award-for-bloggers-who-care/
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https://twitter.com/marstu67/status/484508678867791872/photo/1
(hat tip – SG2)
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https://twitter.com/marstu67/status/484508678867791872/photo/1
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https://twitter.com/marstu67/status/484474030817153024/photo/1
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July 2 marks the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s signing of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlawed discrimination and segregation based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
First introduced by President John F. Kennedy shortly before his 1963 assassination, the Civil Rights Act also offered greater protections for the right to vote and paved the way for another historic achievement one year later – the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2014/07/02/to-be-equal-progress-and-unfinished-business-50-years-after-the-civil-rights-act-of-1964/
President Lyndon Johnson – Remarks on Signing the Civil Rights Act:
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“Rescue in Tramore Amusement Park 1 July 2014”
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https://twitter.com/NewsBreaker/status/484528263587704832/photo/1
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“NEW YORK (AP) — Two construction safety companies dispatched cooks, hairdressers, bellhops and musicians to sign off as licensed safety experts — one of them dead — on inspections at dozens of high-rise sites, authorities said Wednesday.”
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/companies-charged-nyc-construction-safety-scam
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I wonder if the Supreme Court realized that it violated “Separation of Church and State” when it ruled that a corporation was a person?
Basically, in doing this the Supreme Court rewrote a bit of the Bible’s Book of Genesis.
Original (Genesis 1:26-27):
26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he them; male and female created he them.
The Supreme Court’s rewrite of the Bible’s Genesis (Chapter 1 – verses 26-27):
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So now, do people (or employees) with the religious belief that God created “man” and NOT “corporations” have to accept any Supreme Court rulings that are based on a “Corporation” being a person?
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That was fun….just shows that the game can be played from all directions. 🙂
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“CORPORATIONS ARE PEOPLE? IT’S A REAL LEGAL CONCEPT”
Jul. 3, 2014
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/corporations-are-people-its-real-legal-concept
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Yahtzee, Now you do realize it is not nice to use their own bible against them… I think to many of them it is like the Constitution, simply a piece of paper… Here is the thought for the day, something that my grandfather told me as a very young child that is very appropriate in todays society… “If a man needs to tell you how much of a Christian he is, he surely is not one”… Think about that for a while and you will realize what wisdom is to be found in those few words…
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crazy1946,
“If a man needs to tell you how much of a Christian he is, he surely is not one”
A wise one, you grandfather….
“Now you do realize it is not nice to use their own bible against them…”
Hehe…oh, yeah 🙂
Just as in the game of Yahtzee, where the hand you play depends on your roll of the
dice, so the legal-assertion game of religious “freedom” depends on which Bible verses you grab.
Maybe I should write a book or two, crazy1946:
“Winning Dice Rolls”
by Thoreau M. Dyson
and
“It’s His Word”
by Justus Heard
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“Sanford man shocked by officer’s Taser awarded $75,000 settlement”
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/sanford-man-awarded-75000-settlement-police-taser-/ngX8Q/?__federated=1
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https://twitter.com/NewsBreaker/status/484363841753477120/photo/1
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Yahtzee, Do you suppose in the new GOP/TP/NRA bible when it talks about treating little children special, that it now says to only treat white native born children special? I often wonder how many of these people that claim to be “true” Christian’s have even taken the time to read the words written in that book they love to wave about as they talk with hate in their hearts…
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Yeah….many of them stop learning the lessons of the Good Book once they get reborn by renouncing their sins and getting forgiven.
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They feel their mission is accomplished by singing:
1. Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2. Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3. Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
6. Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
They never get to the point of singing:
Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for—Others.
Refrain
Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.
Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true
And know that all I’d do for You
Must needs be done for—Others.
Refrain
And when my work on earth is done,
And my new work in Heav’n’s begun,
May I forget the crown I’ve won,
While thinking still of—Others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=X82jlo9ngOE
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🙄 …….kind of messy video posting above by me. Oh well.
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Here is a great story that many of our Christian brothers and sisters should read and think about. These people give so much and expect so little in return, yet they do this on a daily basis without thought for their own gain… These are true “American Hero’s”… How often do we, stop to think for a moment, as we sit down to enjoy a meal in the comfort of our own homes, that there are so many of our fellow citizens that not only don’t have a home, they have no money or resources to provide a simple meal for their family… How many of us, when seeing a person that is obviously homeless and in need, turn our backs and walk by, not even acknowledging that the person exists? Do you realize that to many of these unfortunate souls that a simple good morning or afternoon from you would be a true blessing? Take a moment and think what your life would be without all the “good” things you own and enjoy so dearly… Perhaps it would be a good time to simply suggest you treat “all” people as you would wish to be treated…
http://news.msn.com/us/hunger-groups-get-creative-while-us-schools-out-for-summer
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Well said, crazy1946!
Read your linked article……beautiful!
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http://www.weather.com/news/weather-hurricanes/hurricane-arthur-north-carolina-south-carolina-fourth-july-20140702
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“Limiting Rights: Imposing Religion on Workers”
Excerpt:
The Supreme Court’s deeply dismaying decision on Monday in the Hobby Lobby case swept aside accepted principles of corporate law and religious liberty to grant owners of closely held, for-profit companies an unprecedented right to impose their religious views on employees.
It was the first time the court has allowed commercial business owners to deny employees a federal benefit to which they are entitled by law based on the owners’ religious beliefs, and it was a radical departure from the court’s history of resisting claims for religious exemptions from neutral laws of general applicability when the exemptions would hurt other people.
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“Impeachment Imbroglio: Religious Right Targets Judges For LGBT Rulings”
https://www.au.org/church-state/julyaugust-2014-church-state/editorial/impeachment-imbroglio-religious-right-targets
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https://twitter.com/Circa/status/484506285233418241/photo/1
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The Associated Press @AP · 10m
VIDEO: A section of the facade inside a Brooklyn Bridge underpass collapsed during a rain storm; 5 injured:
http://apne.ws/1kidnTU
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Get well soon Xena, hope your feeling better.
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x2
Hugs! 🙂
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X-3
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https://twitter.com/Everytown/status/484085286985809920/photo/1
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Global Grind News @GlobalGrindNews · 3h
The Face Of America: 15 Photos Of Immigration Protests You Need To See http://bit.ly/1s2AO8T
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So heartbreaking……..
“Mass Graves in Texas Show Perilous Journey Continues in US”
(with video)
http://fusion.net/justice/story/mass-graves-texas-show-perilous-journey-continues-us-830902
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Precious Butterfly
You lift hearts with your beauty
Your spirit soaring amidst sunshine with gentle breeze
Coloring the blue skies with your being
Gentle drifting through the air
Gliding and alighting all day long.
Drinking sweet nectar of blooming flowers
Touching fragile petals with ethereal steps
Sublime wanderings buoyed by whispering air
Gloriously tasting Nature’s enchanting offerings
Following the airstreams of free flight.
Blessed are your enchanting ways.
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Several years ago Hobby Lobby built a store in a town about 15 miles from where I live. I have been a regular shopper there for supplies that I use in various projects. After the ruling from the SCOTUS, I am now simply going to start ordering those items from various vendors on E-Bay, I will exercise my religious freedom as it allows me to choose where to spend my money… I refuse, on grounds of religious freedom to support Hobby Lobby in their goal of forcing their profit driven ideology upon their employees… I challenge every reader of this blog to do the same, remember if we do not stand up for the rights of our fellow citizens, can we expect to keep ours… BOYCOTT Hobby Lobby….
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Right on, crazy1946!
I also am boycotting Hobby Lobby.
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You are aware that hobby lobby invests millions in companies that make contraceptive products. The Obamacare lawsuit was supposedly against the contraception mandate. Its obvious that this was about attacking ACA Obamacare and pres Obama. If hobby lobby was truly against contraception, they wouldn’t try to make money of it.
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Thanks for the info, m1 !
I just looked that up:
“Hobby Lobby does invest in birth control”
http://money.cnn.com/2014/07/01/investing/hobby-lobby-401k-contraception/
Hobby Lobby’s founders have made it clear that any abortion and certain contraceptives are unacceptable in their eyes, yet the company’s 401(k) plan has millions of dollars invested in funds that own the companies that make birth control methods including Plan B, the so-called “morning after” drug.
Like many companies, Hobby Lobby offers its employees a 401(k) plan. Over 13,000 past and present employees have taken advantage of that plan, according to the latest documents filed with the Department of Labor.
Employees have the option to put their retirement dollars — and the money that Hobby Lobby contributes on their behalf — into over a dozen different mutual funds.
At least eight of those funds have been invested in companies that produce
contraceptives such as Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA), Bayer (BAYRY), and Pfizer (PFE), according to a CNNMoney analysis. Teva makes Plan B. At least one fund also held Forest Laboratories, which makes a drug that is used to induce abortions.
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I’m home from the hospital, in a little pain and feeling drunk. Going to bed. I miss you all and hope to catch up tomorrow.
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Love you. Take care.
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Xena, While we miss you, your health is of extreme importance, so take your time and get the rest you need, and we will await your return. May a butterfly of good health and happiness perch upon your shoulder to look over you as you recover.
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And moving along…..
Jul 3, 10:34 AM EDT
“DRIVER BLAMES TURTLE, CAT, SQUIRREL, TREE IN WRECK”
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ODD_CAR_CRASH_CRITTERS_BLAMED?SITE=AP
BRYAN, Texas (AP) — Police say a man arrested for drunken driving blamed a turtle, a cat, a squirrel and an overhanging tree in a Central Texas wreck.
When police arrived at the scene just southeast of College Station on Tuesday, the 33-year-old slurring driver was still in his seat and unaware of his location. A witness told officers the driver passed him on the right shoulder, hit a guardrail, left the road and struck a tree.
The Eagle of Bryan-College Station reports ( http://BIT.LY/1OCJLDZ ) the North Zulch man told officers he swerved to avoid the critters and hit the tree.
Police didn’t buy the explanation and charged the man with drunken driving.
Records show it’s his second such arrest, and he could face a year in jail. He’s free on $7,500 bond.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ODD_CAR_CRASH_CRITTERS_BLAMED?SITE=AP
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This is a reply under my comment that is in moderation.
If I had known that I was posting that comment at the same time you, Xena, were posting the comment about your return from the hospital, I would not have introduced the article with the words, “And moving along…”
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“Hurricane Arthur strengthens over Atlantic, expected to become Category 2”
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http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2014/07/03/arthur-takes-aim-at-carolinas/
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https://twitter.com/NewsBreaker/status/484766847217065984/photo/1
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AMBER ALERT: issued out of Bismarck, North Dakota: Missing 3y/o girl. Looking for black Toyota pickup @robinhuebner1 pic.twitter.com/eSDYUlLX8I
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Now this!!
“Supreme Court sides with Christian college in birth control case”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/2014/07/03/622f7b12-02f8-11e4-8572-4b1b969b6322_story.html
Excerpt:
“The Supreme Court late Thursday sided with a Christian college in the court’s latest battle over providing women with contraceptive coverage, prompting a sharp rebuke from the three female justices that the court was retreating from assurances offered only days ago.
Wednesday’s decision involved a different part of the law than the one considered in Hobby Lobby. It was an emergency request from Wheaton College in Illinois, which objected to the process the administration has offered to religious organizations, hospitals and colleges.
EBSA Form 700 requires the groups to register their religious objections and enables their insurers or third-party administrators to take on the responsibility of paying for the birth control.
The organizations do not have to pay for the coverage, and the cost is borne by the government in other ways.
But Wheaton Colllege and a host of other organizations have filed suits across the country saying they should not be forced to file the forms. They say doing so authorizes third parties to provide the contraceptives, making them complicit in actions that offend their religious beliefs.
The ruling Wednesday says Wheaton need only file a letter with the federal government stating its religious objections. Presumably, the government then would notify the third party to provide the contraceptives.
“Nothing in this interim order affects the ability of the applicant’s employees and students to obtain, without cost, the full range of FDA approved contraceptives,” the order said.”
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Yahtzee, And so the attack on the ACA begins from the GOP/TP/NRA! The SCOTUS knew this would happen, and they have provided a way to once again slam the POTUS against the wall with their pathetic political agenda against the less affluent citizens of this nation…
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http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sites/default/files/styles/full_1000/public/field/image/HOBBYLOBBY0703c3.jpg?itok=-5r3lNhE
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Massachusetts SWAT teams claim they’re private corporations, immune from open records laws
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/
This privatization of LE is new to me. I am not sure I understand all that is being written here. Can someone explain this to me?
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Associated Press: Paul Horn, the Grammy-winning jazz flutist and New Age music pioneer, has died at the age of 84.
Horn’s son Marlen said his father died Sunday in Vancouver, British Columbia, after a brief illness. He declined to provide further details.
“He passed away very peacefully and did not suffer,” Marlen said. “He wasn’t in any pain.”
Horn’s career spanned five decades, 50 albums and five Grammy nominations. He played the flute, clarinet and saxophone in concert tours and recording sessions with such artists as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Chico Hamilton.
His album “Jazz Suite on the Mass Texts” won Grammys in 1966 for best original jazz composition and photographic cover album.
Horn studied transcendental meditation alongside the Beatles with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Horn’s albums “Inside the Taj Mahal” and “Inside the Great Pyramid” laid the groundwork for the New Age music genre and earned him the nickname “Father of New Age Music.”
Horn is survived by his wife, two sons, a stepson and four grandchildren.
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